Before
I begin my blog, I would like to take this opportunity to update everyone on the
negotiations between the District and the teacher’s union. A Status of
Negotiations
link will be available on the District’s website (www.cchs.k12.pa.us) in the
very near future. Since the Fact
Finder’s report has been publicly posted on the Pennsylvania Labor Relation
Board website, the District believes it is important for the public to be aware
of this information, and as such, is making it available on its website.
You know it
is summer, really summer, when temps soar into the 90s, air conditioners run
non-stop, and finding water to swim in or to keep hydrated is a priority.
These truly are the “lazy hazy crazy days of summer” as celebrated by
singer/songwriter Nat King Cole. For better or for worse, these days are limited
as, with the passing of the summer solstice, the amount of daylight has been
getting shorter by a minute every day.
As I have
said in the past, summer is not necessarily a slower time for CCSD’s 12-month
employees. Greg Shaffer and his staff work very hard, both inside and
out, in the heat of the summer, to get buildings and grounds in top shape for
the beginning of the school year. The administration is also hustling to
prepare schedules, staff development activities, and bus routes/stops; they are
restocking supplies, tending to curriculum updates and distributing updated
records across grade levels and schools, and between districts. Then, based on
population shifts, materials for the coming school year are ordered. As
you might expect, myriad meetings accompany these events. (I’m currently
looking for a bumper sticker that says, “Have coffee, will meet.” Ah, well,
meetings justify the coffee I enjoy; to adapt a quote from Henning Mankell in One
Step Behind, “Meetings wouldn’t be possible without coffee.” (I’m currently
looking for a bumper sticker that proclaims this truism.)
Even as we
adults seek shade and air conditioning, our students are outside preparing for
the start of soccer, band, football, cross country and other extra curricular
student activities. These amazing kids will be ready as they are at the
start of every year, despite the heat and thunderstorms that accompany summer.
On a
personal note, my wife and I have now completed the third and final leg of our
summer trips to see the Big Ten universities (football stadiums). This
summer we drove to Nebraska, Minnesota and then to Michigan. We had a
great time, saw some beautiful cities, and ate some really good food like the
“Jucy Lucy” burger featured on the Travel Channel—and ‘Jucy’ is not a
misspelling. It was great to get away with my best friend and travel
without a set agenda. Note: I imagine you reading this with sympathy
for a wife who is obliged to participate in the accomplishment of this “bucket
list” item. Rest assured that the trips included activities like shopping and
sightseeing of the non-football variety.
Speaking of
sports (always), I’m excited for the Pittsburgh Pirates. They are only
one game out of first place in their division, a tremendous improvement over
their implosion last year after the All Star game. They have given me hope that
the team will end its 20-year losing streak. I can’t say that I’m 100%
optimistic about the chances that their neighbors, the Steelers, will enjoy a
winning season without James Harrison. I remind myself that the enthusiasm of
true fans is undeterred during team-building years, and that this may be one of
them. NFL training camps are set to start next week and another football season
will be here before you know it – finally!! Naturally, with this heat
wave, I don’t smell fall in the air yet but I do have my Steelers flag at the
ready. Life continues to be good…
Enjoy your
families and what is left of July… go Bucs!
Dr. D.
